MATTHEW DUNNE-MILES

THE marquee event of the start of Glasgow’s Christmas celebrations has been called off due to bad weather.

The Christmas Light Switch-On was set to take place at George Square this Saturday, with 13,000 celebrators expected to come along to the event.

As a result of the recent and continuing stormy weather that has affected much of Scotland, the Glasgow Christmas Lights Switch-On has been cancelled

Glasgow City Council

Glasgow City Council released a statement this evening stating: “As a result of the recent and continuing stormy weather that has affected much of Scotland, the Glasgow Christmas Lights Switch-On has been cancelled.

“The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Glasgow for much of the weekend, with significant rain and wind forecast. We have been working hard to do everything possible to ensure the event went ahead, but the predicted wind-speed for Sunday has led to concerns about public safety.

“We know that many of you will be disappointed by this news, but the safety of ticket-holders, many of whom would attend with small children, and those working on the event is always our first priority.”

The Christmas event is one of the most popular of the Glasgow Loves Christmas campaign, which will see an outdoor ice rink erected, European markets and street carnivals.

Due to the demand, those looking to attend the switch-on had to enter an online ballot which saw attendees chosen at random from over 54,119 entries.

Scotland is currently in the midst of Storm Abigail, a weather pattern currently causing huge disruption across the west coast.

The council wrote that there was no plan to restage Saturday’s event due to “the scale and complexity”.

But attendees have been informed that they could swap their ticket for a free hot drink at the Glasgow On Ice rink at George Square running from November 27.